Clinical Research Directory

Improving Uptake of Bowel Cancer Screening Among South Asian Adults in Bradford

Bowel cancer is the second most common cause of cancer related deaths in England. Bowel cancer screening can reduce bowel cancer deaths by detecting bowel cancer early. Previous research has shown that screening can lower a person's risk of dying from bowel cancer by over 25%. In England, the NHS offers free bowel cancer screening for adults aged 60 - 74 years who are registered with a GP every two years, but screening uptake remains poor among those in deprived areas and amongst minority ethnic groups. In socioeconomically deprived areas like Bradford, where there is a high proportion of South Asian residents, bowel cancer screening uptake is low compared to other parts of England. The investigators previous research has shown that people of South Asian ethnicity are limited by many factors beyond language barriers and thus require culturally tailored approaches to facilitate uptake. For this study, the investigators will aim to answer the question: 'Does a culturally tailored enhanced screening kit, comprising an instruction letter and booklet, and a bio-degradable poo catcher increase bowel cancer screening uptake among South Asians living in Bradford?'. Over a 6-month period, individuals registered in 17 GP practices in Bradford and due to receive their NHS bowel cancer screening invitation will be assigned to two groups: standard kit (usual screening kit only) and enhanced kit (culturally tailored instruction letter and biodegradable poo catcher). Uptake of bowel cancer screening among South Asian participants in each group will be assessed 13 weeks after the identification of the final participant. The findings of this study will provide valuable information for policy makers about how to address population specific barriers to bowel cancer screening using culturally tailored approaches in the UK.